Zero Jobs to Be Dropped After Labour ‘Scraps’ Valuation Office Agency Quango – Guido Fawkes

Exc: Zero Jobs to Be Dropped After Labour ‘Scraps’ Valuation Office Agency Quango

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Co-conspirators may recall the headlines three weeks ago:

• “Another one down … ministers throw valuation agency onto ‘bonfire of the quangos’ as it is axed to reduce ‘hassle’ for businesses and taxpayers”
• “Treasury to scrap valuation quango amid efficiency drive”
• “Valuation Office Agency to be scrapped in latest quango cull”

The Valuation Office Agency, which values properties for council tax, was to be stripped and folded into HMRC. Tax minister James Murray pronounced at the time: “As part of the government’s drive to slash red tape, increase oversight and ministerial accountability and rewire Whitehall to be more productive and agile… ending the inefficiency and duplication of a standalone VOA will help us drive change faster and improve value for money.” Hence the gushing headlines…

Three weeks later Kevin Hollinrake asked Murray in a written questions how many jobs Labour was planning on scrapping in its latest ‘quango bonfire’ addition. You guessed it…

“As of the 30 April 2025, the Valuation Office Agency (VOA) employs 4,005 staff, which equates to 3,749.71 full-time employees. In addition, the VOA employs 88 contingent labour workers. The VOA has no current plans to reduce the workforce.”

Guido asked the Treasury and HMRC if they would like to deny that literally zero jobs will be scrapped as a result of the ‘scrappage’ and got radio silence. Another potemkin efficiency measure…